Rodent Problems Addressed At Silver Spring Restaurants: Inspection

SILVER SPRING, MD — Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services officials conducted inspections at three food establishments in Silver Spring on Sept. 11.

Two of the inspections were followups to food facilities where critical violations had been observed. Both businesses had made progress on correcting the violations, which included rodent and pest infestations.

During the inspection of the third food facility in Silver Spring, the inspector found violations, including food being stored at the incorrect temperatures and the presence of mouse droppings in the storage area.

All Montgomery County licensed retail food establishments are inspected by the Licensure & Regulatory Services Program. Regular comprehensive inspections include evaluating an establishment's sanitation, maintenance and food service operations. These inspections include monitoring critical temperatures and food handling procedures.

Critical violations of food safety requirements had been reported at the three Silver Spring businesses inspectors visted on Sept. 11. Some violations had been address, while others remained to be resolved.

"A Critical Violation means a food safety requirement that requires immediate correction," according to the health and human services website. "Failure for immediate correction results in cessation of some or all food operations or closure of the facility until violation is able to be corrected."

Kao Thai Restaurant

A Sept. 12 inspection of the Kao Thai Restaurant located at 8650 in Silver Spring found two violations corrected and two that still needed to be address.

Potentially hazardous food items held in the refrigeration unit above 41 degrees were moved to a cooler and paper towels were provided during the inspection for employees to use. The following items still needed to be addressed:

• "Two reach-in coolers (located at the back area) are not required unit temperature. Repair/replace the units. Do not store any TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) food items in the unit until repaired and maintains required temperature.
• "Some rodent droppings are observed at storage area. Continue eliminating presence of rodents in the facility, and close holes that may be an entry point to rodents."

The inspector noted that the manager had food allergen awareness training with a certification expiration date of Aug. 31, 2027.

IHOP #522

A health and human services inspector conducted a re-inspection of IHOP #522 located at 2526 University Blvd. W. This was a followup of two previous inspections that took place on Aug. 23 and Aug. 29, when the restaurant was cited for multiple violations.

In their report for the Sept. 11 inspection, the inspector noted the following improvements at restaurant:

• No pests or pest evidence observed.
• Fogging performed on 9/7/23 by professional pest treatment services.
• Pest treatment reports provided.
• Pest treatment to continue at a frequency of 2x per week
• Refrigerators repaired and observed to maintain proper food temperatures.
• Cleanliness levels in kitchen visibly improved.
• Air conditioning has been turned off, preventing dripping onto food containers.

Although the restaurant had corrected the violation concerning an employee taking their glove off, touching keys, and then touching food without washing their hands, several other violations remained to be addressed.

• "Tiles observed missing in cook line area. Tiles observed broken throughout facility. Repair or replace. Plans to repair on 9/12/23.
• "Grease observed beneath equipment, on lower shelves, on backsplashes, and under counters in cook line area. Maintain a clean and sanitary facility. REPEAT VIOLATION
• "Wiping clothes observed not fully submerged in sanitizing solution. Keep fully submerged."

CVS/Pharmacy #3517: Followup Inspection

On Sept. 12, a health and human services inspector conducted a followup inspection of the CVS/Pharmacy #3517 located at 825 Wayne Ave. in Rockville. A day earlier, an inspector observed a rodent infestation at the facility.

"On this inspection, it is observed that the food aisles that were affected by rodent droppings were cleaned, and sanitized," the report said. "Per manager, the pest control services treated
the facility, and they would continue treating the facility on a daily basis until the rodent activities are eliminated. Then after, they would continue treating the facility on a biweekly basis."

In addition, the inspector noted that holes suspected of being the entryway for rodents had been closed. The staff was advised to continue looking for other holes and plugging any they find.

Previous Reports:

• Old Meat; Bare Hands Touching Food; Peas Too Cold: Health Violations
• Complaint About Mice Prompts Inspection Of Silver Spring Restaurant
• Roaches, Mouse Droppings: Silver Spring Eatery Cited For Violations